Emporia Recreation Commission

Our Core Values

The Emporia Recreation Commission will strive to provide essential recreational opportunities through creative programming, health equity, excellence in facility management, and innovative partnerships and services to our community. We will exemplify integrity, fiscal responsibility, quality customer service and diversity in our workplace. With these core values, we are seeking to build a strong, healthy and resilient community.

Our Vision

To enhance and support the health and wellness goals of our community by creating opportunities for life-long physical and emotional well-being through diversified recreation programs and activities. 

Meetings

  • 5:30pm
  • 3rd Monday of every month
  • Meeting dates are subject to change
  • Lee Beran Recreation Center
    313 W 4th Avenue
    Emporia, KS 66801

Budget

2024 - 2025 ERC Approved Budget

Public Comments

If you wish to address the board, you are asked to fill out a public comment card before the start of the meeting and give it to the Clerk of the Board to be included in the agenda.

Structure of the Emporia Recreation Commission

Kansas State Statutes allow 3 different types of Recreation Commissions to be established:

  • City Established Recreation Commissions - the taxing authority as the City
  • School District Established Recreation Commissions - the taxing authority as the School District
  • Jointly Established Recreation Commission - the taxing authority the City or School District, whichever has the greater taxing authority

Kansas State Statutes that govern Recreation Commissions are 12-1922 - 12-1928.

Kansas State Statutes that govern Recreation Commission

April 7, 1953: Election and resolution passed for the Joint City/School Recreation Commission in Emporia

The Emporia Recreation Commission is the only recreation commission in the state of Kansas that has a jointly established commission. Two recreation commission board members are appointed by the City Commission, two recreation commission board members are appointed by the School Board. These four members then select an At- Large member. The taxing authority is either the area within the corporate limits of the city or the area within the boundary lines of a school district, whichever has the greater tax valuation. In the case of Emporia, the School District is the taxing authority for the Emporia Recreation Commission.

Our current Board is elected as follows:

2025 Emporia Recreation Board Organization Chart

All five members of the Emporia Recreation Commission have:

  • authority to vote to makes rules and create policy
  • authority to approve and certify the annual budget
  • authority to employ a Director to run the day-to-day operations